Ashley Wagner

Ashley Wagner

Wagner at the 2009 World Junior Championships.
Personal information
Full name Ashley Wagner
Country represented  United States
Born May 16, 1991 (1991-05-16) (age 20)
U.S. Army Garrison, Heidelberg, Germany
Residence Alexandria, Virginia
Height 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m)
Coach John Nicks
Former coach Priscilla Hill
Shirley Hughes
Choreographer Irina Romanova
Phillip Mills
Skating club SC of Wilmington
Began skating 1996
World standing 25 (As of 16 June 2011 (2011 -06-16))[1]
Season's bests TBD (2011–2012)[2]
17 (2010–2011)[3]
16 (2009–2010)[4]
16 (2008–2009)[5]
ISU personal best scores
Combined total 167.02
2010 Rostelecom Cup
Short program 61.52
2008 NHK Trophy
Free skate 110.98
2011 Skate Canada

Ashley Wagner (born May 16, 1991) is an American figure skater. She is the 2008 and 2010 U.S. bronze medalist and 2007 and 2009 World Junior bronze medalist.

Contents

Personal life

Ashley Wagner is the first child and only daughter of LTC Eric Wagner, U.S. Army (Retired) and Melissa Wagner. A military brat, Wagner was born on a U.S. Army Base in Heidelberg, Germany, where her father was stationed at the time. Although she was born in Germany, she is a United States citizen, because her parents are U.S. citizens. Her father is a retired Army lieutenant colonel, and her mother is a retired fourth-grade teacher. Her younger brother Austin is also a skater and competes on the national level.

Because Wagner's father was in the military, her family moved seven times during Wagner's childhood. Besides Germany, she has lived in California, Alaska, Kansas, Washington State, and Virginia. Wagner currently lives in Alexandria, Virginia, but considers Seabeck, WA home.[6] She previously attended Northern Virginia Community College via their online study program. Wagner attended West Potomac High School through the 2007/2008 school year. She had previously attended Whitman Middle School. Wagner was home schooled by her mother for half a year before entering Whitman Middle School but returned to public school because she missed it.[7][8][9][10]

Skating career

Early career

Wagner began skating at age five in Eagle River, Alaska. She says that her mother told her she could choose between ballet or figure skating, but she "wasn't going to do anything in pink shoes."[8] According to her mother, Wagner began to show promise early and won a gold medal at her first competition. In 1998, Wagner watched Tara Lipinski win the gold medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics on television. From that moment, she decided that she wanted to compete in the Olympics, too.[7][10]

In the 2002–2003 season, Wagner qualified for the U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships, which are the national championships of the United States for figure skaters at the juvenile and intermediate levels. Wagner placed 17th at the Intermediate level. The following season she tested up to the novice level. She won the silver medal at her regional competition, the first step to qualifying for the national championships, but placed 10th at her sectional competition and did not qualify for the 2004 National Championships.

Wagner qualified for her first U.S. Championships in the 2004–2005 season after placing first at both the Northwest Pacific Regionals and the Pacific Coast Sectionals. Competing on the novice level, she placed seventh at Nationals.[7]

For the 2005–2006 season, Wagner moved up to the junior level. She won both the Northwest Pacific Regional and Pacific Coast Sectional competitions again to qualify for the National Championships. At the 2006 U.S. Nationals in St. Louis, Missouri, Wagner finished fourth on the junior level, earning the pewter medal. After the event, Wagner was named to the U.S. team for the Triglav Trophy in Slovenia, her first major international competition and where she made her international junior debut. There she landed six triple jumps, including a triple toe-triple toe combination, in her long program to move up from third in the short program to first overall.[9]

In the 2006–2007 season, Wagner made her Junior Grand Prix debut. She won both the Junior Grand Prix event in Courchevel, France, and the event in The Hague, Netherlands. Her wins qualified her for the Junior Grand Prix Final in Sofia, Bulgaria, where she won the silver medal behind fellow American Caroline Zhang, with a final score of 142.01. At the 2007 U.S. Nationals in Spokane, Washington, Wagner placed third behind Mirai Nagasu and Caroline Zhang, earning herself a spot on the World Junior Championships team. Her bronze medal at the 2007 Nationals was the first time she had placed in the top three at the national championships.[8] At the 2007 Junior Worlds in Oberstdorf, Germany, she landed seven triple jumps in her long program and earned an overall personal best of 157.15. She finished with the bronze medal behind Zhang and Nagasu, completing the first-ever American sweep of the World Junior podium.[11]

2007–2008 season

Wagner moved up to the senior level both nationally and internationally for the 2007–2008 season. She made her senior international debut at the 2007 Skate Canada International in Quebec City, Quebec, where she placed fifth overall with a score of 150.06. Two weeks later, Wagner won her first senior international medal at the 2007 Trophée Eric Bompard in Paris, France. She placed third behind reigning World silver medalist Mao Asada and reigning U.S. National Champion Kimmie Meissner with a score of 158.63. She finished second in the long program ahead of Meissner and only lost to Meissner in the final standings by 0.11 points. During her fall Grand Prix events, Wagner attempted the triple Lutz-triple loop combination for the first time in competition, but it was downgraded by the technical callers because her attempts were not fully rotated. Discussing her first year on the Grand Prix, Wagner said, "Competing on the Grand Prix has forced my skating to mature. I'm a senior lady now, and I need to perform like one."[10]

In January 2008, Wagner competed on the senior level for the first time at the 2008 U.S. Nationals in St. Paul, Minnesota. She placed second in the short program behind Mirai Nagasu after landing a triple Lutz-triple loop combination.[12][13] In the free skate, she placed second again, this time behind Rachael Flatt, after landing seven triples including another triple Lutz-triple loop combination. She finished with the bronze medal overall behind Nagasu and Flatt. Because Nagasu, Flatt, and pewter-medalist Caroline Zhang were too young to compete at an ISU Senior Championship event, Wagner was the only medal winner to be named to the Four Continents and World Championships teams.[14] Because of her third place finish at the 2008 Nationals, Wagner earned a bye to the 2009 U.S. Nationals.

At the 2008 Four Continents in Goyang, South Korea, Wagner finished twelfth in the short program (47.29), fifth in the free skate (105.17), and eighth overall with a final score of 152.46.[15][16]

At the 2008 World Championships in Goteburg, Sweden, Wagner finished sixteenth with a final score of 137.40. She finished eleventh in the short program (51.49) and fifteenth in the long program (85.91). She fell once in her free skate.[17]

2008–2009 season

For the 2008–2009 Grand Prix of figure skating season, Wagner was assigned to compete at 2008 Cup of China where she finished fourth. Her next event was the 2008 NHK Trophy, where she again finished fourth. In the process she set new personal bests in the short program and her combined score.

She won the pewter medal at the 2009 U.S. Nationals and represented the United States at the 2009 Junior Worlds in Sofia, Bulgaria where she placed 3rd.

2009–2010 season

For the 2009–2010 Grand Prix of figure skating season, Wagner was assigned to compete at the 2009 Rostelecom Cup, at that event she won the silver medal. In the process she set new personal best scores in her long program and her combined score. She won the bronze medal at the 2009 NHK Trophy, and qualified for the 2009-2010 Grand Prix Final. At the 2009-2010 Grand Prix Final, Wagner finished in last position after the short program with 54.26 points. She turned in a solid performance in the free skate to earn 107.81 points and place fourth. Overall, she finished fourth with 162.07 points.

At the 2010 U.S. Nationals, Wagner won her second bronze medal. She was placed on the team to the 2010 Junior Worlds, but withdrew from the team before the event.[18]

Around this time Wagner started her own YouTube channel. She is also an avid user of Twitter and Facebook.

2010–2011 season

A racing heartbeat which had long bothered Wagner became more frequent during the summer before the 2010–11 season. She also began to suffer violent full-body muscle spasms which her coach Priscilla Hill said were "some of the most horrific things I've ever seen."[19] She saw a number of physicians who were unable to determine the cause. Finally, chiropractor and muscle specialist Steve Mathews revealed that tension in her neck muscles was causing a vertebrae to be pushed out of place and squeeze various nerves; a physical therapy program reduced the problems.[19]

Wagner had practiced her new long program only about six times before she competed at 2010 NHK Trophy where she finished 5th.[19] At 2010 Cup of Russia she won the bronze medal.

2011–2012 season

Wagner began the 2011-12 season at the 2011 Skate Canada International. She was second in the short program and third in the free skating, and won the bronze medal. She was fifth in the short program and third in the free skating to finish 4th overall at the 2011 NHK Trophy.

Coaching changes

Because Wagner's family moved around a lot, she has worked with several coaches, including Tonya Harding's former coach Dody Teachman. In January 2002, Wagner began training with Shirley Hughes in Alexandria, Virginia.[20][21] Jill Shipstad-Thomas choreographs her competitive programs.[8][9]

In June 2008, Wagner announced that she would be leaving her longtime coach Shirley Hughes to begin working with Priscilla Hill in Wilmington, Delaware.[20]

In June 2011, Wagner announced that she would be moving to Aliso Viejo, California to train with John Nicks and Phillip Mills at the Aliso Viejo Ice Palace.[22][21]

Programs

Season Short program Free skating Exhibition
2011–2012 Pollock
by Jeff Beal
choreographed by Phillip Mills [21]		 Black Swan
soundtrack by Clint Mansell
choreographed by Phillip Mills [21]
2010–2011 Once Upon a Time in America Soundtrack
by Ennio Morricone
Kashmir
by Led Zeppelin
performed by London Philharmonic Orchestra		 Malaguena
by Ernesto Lecuona		 Ain't No Other Man
by Christina Aguilera
2009–2010 Once Upon a Time in America Soundtrack
by Ennio Morricone		 Polovtsian Dances
by Alexander Borodin		 Speechless
by Lady Gaga
2008–2009 Somewhere in Time soundtrack
by John Barry		 Spartacus
by Khachaturian		 Fever
by Bette Midler
2007–2008 Henry VIII
by Camille Saint-Saëns		 Tango Jalousie
by J. Gade
Mambo Jambo
by Perez Prado		 Bye Bye Blackbird
by Liza Minnelli
2006–2007 The Cotton Club
by Duke Ellington		 Summertime
by George Gershwin		 Steam Heat
2005–2006 Henry V soundtrack
by Patrick Doyle		 Scent of a Woman soundtrack
by Thomas Newman and Jose Padilla

Competitive highlights

Event 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12
World Championships 16th
Four Continents Championships 8th
World Junior Championships 3rd 3rd
U.S. Championships 7th N. 4th J. 3rd J. 3rd 4th 3rd 6th
U.S. Junior Championships 17th I.
Grand Prix Final 4th
NHK Trophy 4th 3rd 5th 4th
Cup of Russia 2nd 3rd
Cup of China 4th
Trophée Eric Bompard 3rd
Skate Canada 5th 3rd
Junior Grand Prix Final 2nd
Junior Grand Prix, Netherlands 1st
Junior Grand Prix, France 1st
Triglav Trophy 1st J.
North American Challenge Skate 5th N.
Pacific Coast Sectionals 10th N. 1st N. 1st J.
Northwest Pacific Regionals 2nd Ju. 2nd I. 2nd N. 1st N. 1st J.
Ju. = Juvenile level; I. = Intermediate level; N. = Novice level; J. = Junior level

Detailed results

2011–2012 season
Date Event SP FS Total
January 22–29, 2012 2012 U.S. Championships TBD
November 11–13, 2011 2011 NHK Trophy 5
55.88		 3
109.77		 4
165.65
October 27–30, 2011 2011 Skate Canada 2
54.50		 3
110.98		 3
165.48
2010–2011 season
Date Event SP FS Total
January 22–30, 2011 2011 U.S. Championships 7
54.63		 5
110.73		 6
165.36
November 19–21, 2010 2010 Cup of Russia 3
56.17		 3
110.85		 3
167.02
October 22–24, 2010 2010 NHK Trophy 4
52.93		 6
90.80		 5
143.73
2009–2010 season
Date Event SP FS Total
January 14–24, 2010 2010 U.S. Championships 4
62.55		 2
122.15		 3
184.70
December 3–6, 2009 2009-2010 ISU Grand Prix Final 6
54.26		 4
107.81		 4
162.07
November 5–8, 2009 2009 NHK Trophy 1
56.54		 3
99.45		 3
155.99
October 22–25, 2009 2009 Cup of Russia 5
55.16		 2
108.81		 2
163.97
2008–2009 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
February 23 – March 1, 2009 2009 World Junior Championships Junior 2
57.50		 3
96.07		 3
153.57
January 18–25, 2009 2009 U.S. Championships Senior 12
50.28		 1
115.05		 4
165.33
November 27–30, 2008 2008 NHK Trophy Senior 2
61.52		 5
99.58		 4
161.10
November 5–9, 2008 2008 Cup of China Senior 4
55.40		 4
100.19		 4
155.59
2007–2008 season
Date Event SP FS Total
March 17–23, 2008 2008 World Championships 11
51.49		 15
85.91		 16
137.40
February 11–17, 2008 2008 Four Continents Championships 12
47.29		 5
105.17		 8
152.46
January 20–27, 2008 2008 U.S. Championships 2
65.15		 2
123.41		 3
188.56
November 15–18, 2007 2007 Trophée Eric Bompard 5
50.48		 2
108.15		 3
158.63
November 1–4, 2007 2007 Skate Canada International 8
50.86		 5
99.20		 5
150.06
2006–2007 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
February 26 – March 4, 2007 2007 World Junior Championships Junior 3
51.67		 3
105.48		 3
157.15
January 21–28, 2007 2007 U.S. Championships Junior 4
51.20		 3
94.66		 3
145.86
December 7–10, 2006 2007–2008 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final Junior 3
48.65		 2
93.36		 2
142.01
October 5–7, 2006 ISU Junior Grand Prix, Netherlands Junior 4
44.98		 1
89.00		 1
133.98
August 23–26, 2006 ISU Junior Grand Prix, France Junior 1
49.52		 1
85.43		 1
134.95
2005–2006 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
April 12–16, 2006 2006 Triglav Trophy Junior 3
38.74		 1
78.36		 1
117.10
January 7–15, 2006 2006 U.S. Championships Junior 2
45.85		 4
86.60		 4
132.45
November 15–19, 2005 2006 Pacific Coast Sectional Championships Junior 1
41.50		 1
83.72		 1
125.22
October 19–22, 2005 2006 Northwest Pacific Regional Championships Junior 1 1 1
2004–2005 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
January 9–16, 2005 2005 U.S. Championships Novice 8 5 7
November 11–13, 2004 2005 Pacific Coast Sectional Championships Novice 2 1 1
October 19–23, 2004 2005 Northwest Pacific Regional Championships Novice 1 1 1
2003–2004 season
Date Event Level QR SP FS Total
November 11–15, 2003 2004 Pacific Coast Sectional Championships Novice 11 10 10
October 14–18, 2003 2004 Northwest Pacific Regional Championships Novice 2 3 2 2

References

  1. ^ "ISU World Standings for Single & Pair Skating and Ice Dance : Ladies". International Skating Union. June 16, 2011. http://www.isuresults.com/ws/ws/wsladies.htm. Retrieved June 17, 2011. 
  2. ^ "ISU Judging System – Season Bests Total Scores 2011/2012 : Ladies". International Skating Union. October 31, 2011. http://www.isuresults.com/isujsstat/sb2011-12/sbtslto.htm. Retrieved November 2, 2011. 
  3. ^ "ISU Judging System – Season Bests Total Scores 2010/2011 : Ladies". International Skating Union. April 30, 2011. http://www.isuresults.com/isujsstat/sb2010-11/sbtslto.htm. Retrieved June 17, 2011. 
  4. ^ "ISU Judging System – Season Bests Total Scores 2009/2010 : Ladies". International Skating Union. March 27, 2010. http://www.isuresults.com/isujsstat/sb2009-10/sbtslto.htm. Retrieved June 17, 2011. 
  5. ^ "ISU Judging System – Season Bests Total Scores 2008/2009 : Ladies". International Skating Union. April 18, 2009. http://www.isuresults.com/isujsstat/sb2008-09/sbtslto.htm. Retrieved June 17, 2011. 
  6. ^ http://www.kitsapsun.com/photos/2010/jan/20/91613/
  7. ^ a b c Glod, Maria (January 20, 2005). "A 'Normal' Prodigy: For Ashley Wagner, It's Important To Coordinate Ice Time, Family Time". Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A21368-2005Jan19.html. Retrieved July 28, 2009. 
  8. ^ a b c d Mittan, Barry (December 3, 2007). "What a Year for Wagner". Skate Today. http://www.skatetoday.com/2007/12/03/what-a-year-for-wagner/. Retrieved August 8, 2011. 
  9. ^ a b c Rosewater, Amy (June 12, 2006). "Ashley Wagner Finds a Home and Success in Alexandria". U.S. Figure Skating. http://www.usfigureskating.org/Story.asp?id=34687. Retrieved 28 July 28, 2009. 
  10. ^ a b c Rutherford, Lynn (January 18, 2008). "Wagner ready to step up: Teen from Virginia wants her turn in the spotlight". Icenetwork.com. http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080118&content_id=40626&vkey=ice_news. Retrieved July 28, 2009. 
  11. ^ Zanca, Sal (March 3, 2007). "American Ladies Sweep World Junior Medals". U.S. Figure Skating. http://www.usfigureskating.org/Story.asp?id=37845. Retrieved July 28, 2009. 
  12. ^ Rutherford, Lynn (January 24, 2008). "Fourteen-year-old Nagasu leads after stunning short: Top three ladies all nail triple-triples". Icenetwork.com. http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080124&content_id=42242&vkey=ice_news. Retrieved July 28, 2009. 
  13. ^ Shipley, Amy (January 26, 2008). "Alexandria's Wagner Is Unfazed by Success". Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/25/AR2008012503245.html. Retrieved July 28, 2009. 
  14. ^ Rutherford, Lynn (January 27, 2008). "Nagasu hangs on for ladies national title: Flatt wins free skate, silver; Wagner takes bronze". Icenetwork.com. http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080127&content_id=42967&vkey=ice_news. Retrieved July 28, 2009. 
  15. ^ Flade, Tatiana (February 16, 2008). "Mao Asada bests field for top spot: Rochette takes second, Ando third". Icenetwork.com. http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080216&content_id=44003&vkey=ice_news. Retrieved July 28, 2009. 
  16. ^ "Japanese Women Rule Four Continents Event". Washington Post. February 17, 2008. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/16/AR2008021602247.html. Retrieved July 28, 2009. 
  17. ^ Stevenson, Alexandra (March 20, 2008). "Asada wins ladies crown at worlds: Number one woman in the world takes home gold". Icenetwork.com. http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080320&content_id=46239&vkey=ice_news. Retrieved July 28, 2009. 
  18. ^ "Lysacek, Belbin and Agosto to Skip 2010 World Championships". U.S. Figure Skating. February 27, 2010. http://www.usfsa.org/Story.asp?id=44313&type=media. Retrieved February 28, 2010. 
  19. ^ a b c Shipley, Amy (January 26, 2011). "Ashley Wagner back on the ice after year of 'absolute insanity'". Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/26/AR2011012603487.html. Retrieved January 30, 2011. 
  20. ^ a b "Wagner leaves coach Hughes for Hill". Icenetwork.com. June 23, 2008. http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080623&content_id=48878&vkey=ice_pressrelease. Retrieved July 28, 2009. 
  21. ^ a b c d Rosewater, Amy (June 14, 2011). "Wagner goes West in search of gold medals". IceNetwork. http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110614&content_id=20463448&vkey=ice_news. Retrieved June 14, 2011. 
  22. ^ "Ashley Wagner Announces Coaching Change". U.S. Figure Skating. June 14, 2011. http://www.usfsa.org/Story.asp?id=46246&type=media. Retrieved June 14, 2011. 

External links